Questions and Answers
Where did Trevor's dad grow up?
Switzerland
What did Trevor call his father?
Robert, not dad or anything
What are some characteristics of Robert?
Cleans up after himself, is precise, lives in his own world
He was ice and Patricia was _____.
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Robert understood the reason for white people coming to Africa.
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What type of restaurant did Robert open?
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Why did Robert have to close the restaurant?
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How did Robert manage his finances?
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How did Africans view Santa Claus?
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What was like watching a web series for Trevor?
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Where did Trevor's dad move when Trevor was 13?
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What did Trevor and his mom experience after apartheid?
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What did Trevor's mother ensure?
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At what age did Trevor reconnect with his father?
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How did Trevor feel after seeing his father?
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Who did the Dutch encounter upon arriving in the southern tip of Africa?
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What resulted in the first mixed people?
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What are defined as 'coloreds'?
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It was uncommon for two colored people to have a child that looked nothing like either of them.
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With whom do many colored people connect more?
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What language do most colored people speak?
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What don't colored people know?
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What happened to Trevor in Eden Park?
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During apartheid, what did colored people become?
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What did Afrikaners call coloreds?
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What could people submit applications for regarding race?
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What was the pencil test?
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What was the most common colored slur?
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What did apartheid teach colored people?
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What made life especially hard for colored people during apartheid?
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What happened to the mulberries Trevor picked?
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What did the kids begin to do to Trevor?
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What did Patricia try to teach Trevor about being a man?
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What school did Trevor go to after Maryvale?
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Where did Trevor move from Eden Park?
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Who was Trevor's Valentine?
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What did the white kids say to Trevor about Maylene?
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Who did Maylene end up choosing?
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What challenge did Trevor's family face regarding money?
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Study Notes
Trevor's Parental Background
- Trevor's father, Robert, grew up in Switzerland.
- Robert was referred to as "Robert" instead of "dad" due to concerns of arrest in apartheid South Africa.
- Robert is characterized as precise, self-sufficient, and living in his own world.
Family Dynamics
- Robert and Patricia's personalities contrasted sharply, with Robert being described as ice and Patricia as fire.
- Robert questioned why white people traveled to Africa to hate black individuals, given the large black population in South Africa.
- Robert opened a successful restaurant that welcomed both blacks and whites, fostering a positive social environment.
- The restaurant had to close when inspectors enforced separate toilet facilities for different races.
Financial Habits and Cultural Issues
- Robert was known to be extremely frugal with money.
- African cultural beliefs regarding Santa Claus emphasized transparency; children were taught the true origin of gifts.
- Trevor described time with his father as episodic, akin to a web series with limited information each time.
Trevor's Growth and Realizations
- At 13, Trevor's father moved to Cape Town, leading to a new, abusive home environment with an alcoholic stepfather.
- Trevor's mother ensured that the absence of his father did not equate to a lack of love.
- Trevor reconnected with his father at 24 and felt a sense of belonging and pride from this relationship.
Historical Context of Mixed Heritage in South Africa
- The arrival of the Dutch in southern Africa 300 years ago led to the creation of the first mixed-race individuals, born from Dutch men and Khoisan women.
- Mixed-race individuals, referred to as "coloreds," often had diverse ancestry, making it common for their children not to resemble either parent.
- Many colored people identify more with their Afrikaans ancestry, although they often do not speak African languages and primarily communicate in Afrikaans.
- The apartheid era forced colored people into a complex identity struggle, perceived as "almost white" by Afrikaners, who labeled them "amperbaas."
Societal Challenges and Racial Identity
- Under apartheid, colored individuals faced a harsh reality where their blackness was viewed as a setback.
- The arrival of Nelson Mandela shifted perceptions for colored people, making them more aware of their racial identity.
- Trevor's childhood included instances of bullying, leading to a painful experience with peers who rejected him for being different.
Education and Personal Experiences
- Patricia aimed to teach Trevor that true masculinity does not involve superiority over women but is defined by character.
- After leaving Maryvale, Trevor attended H.A. Jack school.
- Trevor moved with his family from Eden Park to Highlands North.
- His first crush, Maylene, ultimately chose Lorenzo, a white boy, over him, which was a formative experience for Trevor.
Economic Struggles
- The family faced financial difficulties, impacting their ability to afford gas; Trevor often had to push the car uphill to get to school.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of Trevor Noah's memoir 'Born a Crime' with these flashcards covering chapters 8 to 10. Explore key concepts, character insights, and significant themes that shape Trevor's story. Perfect for students and fans looking to dive deeper into the text.